Guide to Economics Programs and Schools

EconomicsDegree.net follows industry developments for economics degrees and jobs. A degree in economics can provide the knowledge and training necessary to succeed in a variety of related fields. Graduates often find positions as research assistants, sales positions in government, research organizations, or consulting firms. Those who complete a master’s degree in economics may qualify for research and administrative positions with more responsibility. Top economics positions often require a PhD.

Studying economics teaches us how the world works: why decisions are made and the impact that these decisions have. Have you ever been curious about why oil prices go up, or the level of the unemployment rate? Or what job to pursue or what fields will allow you to earn more? This is economics at work.

Ashford University .
Ashford University's MBA in Business Economics program is a specialty degree that expands on the traditional MBA to offer students an advanced exploration into analysis of business economics, markets, trends, and projections of the economy. Courses reinforce the relationship between economics and finance. Graduates work as economic analysts, strategists, and consultants. Ashford University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001, wascsenior.org.

Grand Canyon University .
Some of the most sought after business degrees are in Finance & Economics and Accounting. Grand Canyon University offers bachelor's degrees in both of these fields and is widely respected for their outstanding faculty. This school also offers an MBA in Accounting which provides the framework for critical decision making key to the success of top managers.

Liberty University .
Liberty University Online gives you the flexibility of earning degrees in prominent business areas with the flexibility of learning online. The degree offerings include a BS in Business Economics, an AA in Accounting, and BS in Accounting. These programs teach you vital functions necessary for corporate positions within companies allowing you to record and interpret company financial data.

Kaplan University .
Kaplan University has two exciting programs offered in Finance which are the bachelor's degree and MBA. The bachelor's degree teaches you the fundamental to make effective capital management decisions for a company while the MBA teaches you the skills necessary for critical decision making necessary for upper management. Kaplan also offers an AAS or BS in Accounting which teaches students how to properly record company transactions.

Why Should We Study Economics?

Having a basic understanding of economics is important for everyone, as it can relate to every aspect of our lives. It can impact you on a personal level when you make decisions for your own family to a greater scale when bigger power structures, such as the government, make decisions that affect society as a whole. Understanding the basic principles can help you make better decisions when it comes to something like how to invest or spend your money wisely. Or as a voter, understanding a presidential candidate’s economic policies will help you make a better-informed political decision, as these decisions will affect your life.

When most people think of economics, they think of stocks, bonds, inflation, unemployment, and other related topics. And yes, many economists do work in professions where most of their time is spent studying these things. But what many people don’t realize is that there are economists that use the tools they learn to focus on subjects you may not even realize. For instance, some economists research and study addiction, marriage, divorce, obesity, or sports. It is an expansive field that gives students a variety of outlets. Economics is a social science that helps us to understand how people, companies, or governments operate through the use of scientific models.

What is a Degree in Economics?

Economics is all about problem solving. Students will learn the science behind how decisions are made: how people value a product or how funds are allocated when you have limited resources. Creating models helps us to study these relationships, both on the small scale and when it comes to bigger firms or the government. You can find economics and the need for economists is every field: education, business, government, finance, accounting, journalism, banking, and more. This type of degree could include, but is not limited to, courses in:

Business

Finance

Money and Banking

Economic Systems

Public Economics

Law

Government

Education

Health Economics

Labor Economics

Sociology

What Types of Economics Degrees are Available?

Economics degrees can be divided into four types. The prerequisites, required coursework, and the length of time it will take are determined by the program, the school you attend, and how much time you have to dedicate each semester. A full-time student, which is generally defined as taking 12-15 credit hours per semester, should be able to complete the program in the recommended time.

Associate’s Degrees: Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) with a specialization in economics or accounting. This two-year degree offers a basic understanding of economic or accounting concepts and trains and prepares students for entry-level positions in their field. Students who go on to pursue a higher-level degree will find more career opportunities available in a wider variety of fields.

Bachelor’s Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) with a specialization in economics, business management, or related fields. This is a four-year degree where students move beyond the fundamentals, and start delving more into finance, international studies, law, and business. This degree really starts to improve your analytic skills and prepares students for careers in business and government. Some opt to go on to law school after graduating or even pursue a graduate degree focusing on a more specific area of economics.

Master’s Degrees: Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in finance, accounting, business economics, or other related fields. These graduate programs usually offer various tracks, depending on if the student plans to pursue a doctorate, if students are interested in working in the private sector or for the government, or if students want to get into public policy, or even perhaps the education sector. A graduate degree provides students with a very solid background in advanced economics and helps you hone your analytic skills. This degree takes two to three years on average, but some programs may require more time.

Doctorates: PhD in economics. PhD programs train students to be highly qualified when it comes to careers in teaching and economic research. It is a rigorous program that gets into the core of economic theory and advanced economics. These programs usually take four years to complete, including a required dissertation.

What Skills Will You Gain With an Economics Degree?

Ability to recognize movements and patterns in the market

Critical thinking

Analytic skills

Mathematics and how they relate to economics

Writing and communication

Public speaking

Problem solving

Time management

How to Get Financial Aid

Paying for college can be stressful, especially when students are balancing jobs, families, and other commitments. Acquiring financial aid can help relieve some of the burden. But what type of financial aid is out there, and who qualifies? It is important to research various types of aid and to contact your school for any additional opportunities and programs they offer. You may qualify for financial aid and not even realize it.

Scholarships – This type of aid is generally awarded based on meeting the criteria of the donor. These can come in the form of merit-based, need-based, sports-related, student-specific, career-specific, or college-specific scholarships. This type of aid is awarded to students pursuing higher education based on certain qualifications. As long as the conditions of the award are continually met (academic performance, financial status, etc.), this aid does not have to be repaid.

Grants – Grants are similar to scholarships. With a scholarship, there is a follow-up to check on the progress of the student. With a grant, the organization that provides it will typically check that all obligations are met. These are generally awarded to encourage study in a particular field and to help fund research.

Federal and State Government Aid – Federal and state governments partner with schools and financial institutions to help provide students and families with financial resources and options for paying for college. This type of aid can come in different forms, such as scholarships or student loans, based on a variety of criteria. Students can fill out the free application for federal student aid to see what type of aid they qualify for.

Work-study Programs – These programs are offered in order to provide students with funds for part-time employment to help finance the cost of their education. Some students work on campus, and some jobs are off campus and typically with a private, nonprofit organization. Part of the application process for a federal work study program is to fill out the free FAFSA application. It is important to contact your school’s financial aid office to find out the requirements and qualifications.

Helpful Resources for More Information about Economics

The Economist This site provides very authoritative insight as well as blogs and opinions on a variety of topics. You can search their online archives for articles on international news, politics, business, finance, science, and technology. They also offer various debates and videos. You can read information on their website or even subscribe to their print edition.

The Economic Times This site offers expert information, news, and articles on the markets, technology, jobs, the environment, the economy, international business, and politics. Here you can get stock quotes, read blogs on the state of the economy, and even get advice and information on real estate and personal finance.

Economics E-Journal This online journal offers a forum for publication, research, and communication between authors, editors, and readers. They encourage you to read articles posted as well as to comment and even submit your own papers. They provide information on climate change, technology, the global economic crisis, national and global governance, econophysics, and more.

Economics This is a great resource for students or anyone else who is interested in studying the basic economic concepts. It is a very interactive site that offers helpful information, quizzes, activities, and various other links to additional resources. They believe that it is important to study economics and for all citizens to stay informed, since finances, goods and services, and the economic decisions made in our society affect us day to day.

Bureau of Labor Statistics This site is operated by the United States Department of Labor. They provide a detailed overview of the nature of the work for economists, as well as what training, education, and other requirements that are needed in order to work and advance in this field. It is a great resource for information on employment, job outlook, and salary information, so you know what jobs are in demand and your earning potential for these positions.